Believed by some to be the closest kin of Humans. Beastkin are intelligent animaloid creatures who draw their ancestry from many of the wild animals of Erdreja. Commonly tribal in nature, and intensely close knit, these differing races are also incredibly diverse. All manner of types roam and live across the Heartlands. Yet a large proportion live in the harsh Northern Wastes, and the desolate land of Siberja. With slightly shorter life spans than Humans, Beastkin often choose their animal ancestor as an object of reverence. It is believed that most draw their origins from the harsher climes of Siberja. The land is a vast tundra, and remains home to only those who can survive in such inhospitable climes. It was not until the post cataclysmic years after the Empire, than many Beastkin made the journey into the more hospitable climes of the Heartlands. Some tribes established themselves firmly, and made new homes in the emerging Kingdoms. In the Heartlands some Beastkin band together in groups, but others live solitary lives. They have some perceived kinship with Werewolves and other Lycanthropes, the main obvious difference being that the Lycanthropes can pass as Human most of the time and Beastkin can not. Apart from their own tribe or group Beastkin in Erdreja tend to be untrusting, with the animal instinct to fight or run. They tend to be proud of their animal connections, although it marks them as different. They often emphasise it by dressing in furs or other animal markings. Some Beastkin exhibit a strong sensitivity towards ritual magic. This could be owing to the superstitious nature of their culture, or some innate natural talent. With the variety of racial types, it is difficult to predict the exact life span of Beastkin. However, on average the tend to live for fifty to seventy years. Playing a Beastkin The Beastkin of Erdreja are only resemblance of their chosen beast in looks and some behaviour they are not the same intellect as there form parodies or always as wild. Beastkin should be played as people with a kin ship for beasts as there name suggests. They can be kin to any beast you choose mammal, bird or fish. You do not gain any special abilities because of your choice. What you do gain is a good basis for your character and his or her appearence and actions. An excepted part of role playing a Beastkin is an appearance that in some way resembles your chosen creature. Whether through use of make-up, prosthetics or just costume. As far as background Beastkin like all races of Erdreja can be found anywhere but the system itself seems to lend itself to them being concentrated in the Northern and Easterly areas just beyond the borders of the lands of the Wolves and the Vipers. With a concentration of them being from the lands of Siberja.